Cable News Rivals Dispute CNN Ad Campaign LATimes

CNN claims in a new TV ad campaign which is aimed at media buyers that it has more viewers than Fox News and MSNBC, an assertion that has its two higher-rated rivals crying foul, the Los Angeles Times says.

CNN’s spot says the news network is “No. 1, with more viewers than Fox and MSNBC.” That claim is based on a little-used monthly cumulative number. In the more-commonly used ratings standards, Fox News easily dominates CNN in prime time and total day, and MSNBC also recently surpassed CNN in prime time audience.

MSNBC asked Nielsen to investigate.

--Elizabeth Jensen